Letters to the editor 4/25

Threatening words need no translation

Domestic violence homicide is the No. 2 cause of premature death for African-American women. Said differently, black women are more likely to be killed by their partner than they are to die from heart disease or diabetes.

I am African-American. I am a lawyer who practices in the Dutchess County Family Court. I am a woman, and I am a domestic violence survivor.

In my practice I often represent women (of all backgrounds) who have been kicked, shoved, smacked, pushed or raped by their partner. More than half of all women killed in the United States are killed by an intimate partner.

But on more than one occasion, while representing an African-American woman, I have had to battle the offensive suggestion that the abuser's verbal threats of violence toward my client are no more than the abuser's "manner of speech," or as one attorney put it, "just part of the black vernacular."

I am not familiar with the "vernacular" my colleague referenced, but I know that when words threaten physical violence, they need no translation. There may be a myriad of reasons for the outrageously high rate of domestic violence homicides among African-American women. We need Family Court judges who are sensitive to and will not buy into misguided arguments such as "black vernacular" that serve only to compound the problem and make African-American women less safe.

One of our Family Court judges will retire this year. In November, we will choose a replacement. Vote your informed choice. It is that important!

Jen Brown

Poughkeepsie

Proposed utility merger is best choice for region

I'm known as the "Think Local First" guy who is never shy about promoting our community's best interests and the competitiveness of local businesses.

Because I care so deeply about those businesses - and because I recognize the importance of energy costs and service to their success - I have reviewed the facts surrounding Central Hudson Gas & Electric's proposed merger with Canadian utility Fortis, and I met with local officials. On behalf of our membership, I strongly support this merger.

Fortis has contractually committed that nothing will change about our local utility and customers are expected to receive $50 million in benefits. That is a win-win! Central Hudson will act as a stand-alone entity, and its employees, headquarters, name and commitment to community will all remain.

Fortis has committed to benefits such as a rate freeze that will last through July 2014 and millions in economic development program funding. Without this merger, customers would fund those items.

In my opinion, Central Hudson has done right by its customers by agreeing to this new partnership with a well-respected company. Decisions like this are never easy to make, but I am confident it's what's right for all involved. Like most local businesses, we have had a long and positive relationship with Central Hudson, and I have no doubts that this relationship will continue to be a strong one for the business community and us all here in the Hudson Valley.

Charlie North

president and CEO, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Poughkeepsie

Leaders must investigate dependency on Canada

The editorial coverage of the Fortis takeover is very good except for one important point that no one, including you, seems to have addressed, ("Utility sale will need scrutiny," March 4). Some time ago, I read in the Journal about Fortis' plan to take over Central Hudson.

About the same time, I read that some company based in Canada was also attempting to take over other electric companies in the Northeast.

Now, wouldn't it be just dandy if all of the electricity delivered to people in the Northeast, USA, were dependent upon Canadian companies, or one Canadian company, for electricity.

I wonder what it would cost us? And what about jobs, to U.S. citizens or to Canadian citizens?

I do not have sufficient means to explore this scenario. I hope someone does before the last "i" is dotted on the sale.

Dr. Daniel J. Hannigan

Wappingers Falls

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Letters to the editor 4/25

Domestic violence homicide is the No. 2 cause of premature death for African-American women. Said differently, black women are more likely to be killed by their partner than they are to die from